Commander Tristan Cheveyo Ohanzee on Keliv III

  Commander Tristan Cheveyo Ohanzee sat down as he looked at an image of the person standing in his office. He was neither a betting man nor a praying one, but he had been tempted; on both counts. If there was ever a sign of something greater out in the universe, it was seeing a team return from the impossible. Now more than the impossible happened. Micha Bailey, captain of a small band of outcasts, stood.

  He secretly acknowledged his relief at who he considered a daughter and her mostly safe return. There was evidence of a wounded arm as the woman stood fearless and gave her report. He would have done anything to get her off the suicide list, had argued countless times. He hated wasting valuable soldiers unnecessarily but she refused to play by ‘their’ rules.

  Aa a new species to enter the empire, she should have never been on Keliv III; her spices had not even been integrated into the galactic empire. Having discovered that not only had she managed to survive the training but had also defeated her captain and managed to unite a few of the others into a cohesive and deadly force, he had been impressed.

  Smaller than most teams the woman before him had managed to succeed no matter what was thrown at her and to maintain her position as leader. He knew that she had acquired a couple of new members to her team and had overlooked it, knowing that she needed them.

  Now she was telling him that she was less than five hours out and wanted permission to land an alien shuttle. The shock of what she was saying must have been all over his face because she paused and smile sadly for the first time.

  “Commander? Can you get me permission to return the general to the emperor? Markus is our mess to deal with, so we will drop him first. But I have evidence of general commander’s sins and figure he might as well be returned to his master. Let the emperor decide what he wants done with him. It didn’t take long to get Markus to tell me all about what he was doing on that planet and even less time to find out where to find many of his contacts as well as two other planets under the same guise. My team and I are ready for a full debriefing once we return.”

  Feeling exhausted at what he was hearing Tristan sighed. “I will see what I can do. Sit tight until you hear from me.”

  Saluting with her injured arm, Captain Micha Bailey turned away from the communication screen.

  Tristan considered the situation at hand and quickly gave the orders to allow an alien ship to land. “That’s right. It will not be docking at the station,” he stated patiently. “It will be landing off planet, at Alpha Zeninov since that is where the prison is.”

  “Shall we prepare for dignitaries, sir?”

  “No,” Tristan’s grin was malicious. “Markus Hanabur is coming home,” it took everything in him not to growl.

  The officer saluted Tristan and spun towards the door to prepare to receive their guest. Tristan reached for his comms and immediately contacted a number he had not needed to use; other then the time he had needed to get a struggling new leader up to snuff. He had made the call and requested a skilled warrior that was able to pass as part of Tristan’s motley crew to teach her to fight and keep her small team alive.

  They had sent one of the best trainers in the Galactic Empire, officer Rotemi Cloudsong a half breed mix of dragon and were-serval. He still remembered the day the warrior had arrived nearly four years earlier.

  Four Years Earlier at Keliv III

  Micha stood in a defensive pose as Ni’yell attempted to teach her a new defensive move. They had been at it several hours, but the near failure of the last mission continued to drive her to improve. Just as she started to direct Ni’ll to continue a melodic voice called out.

  “Impressive. I’ve never seen a shawling teach their techniques to outsiders before. You must be impressive.”

  “I’m not.”

  “She is.”

  The newcomer simply nodded.

  Micha had considered the newcomer. He stood around six feet in height with an impressive mix of fur and scales that shimmered when touched by the light. His eyes as vibrant in color as fresh spring moss. His frame was not quite lithe, but it was not lumbering either. He moved with a grace that spoke of confidence in his abilities.

  Standing still, he leapt over the five foot wall around the training circle and approached. Looking at Ni’yell he requested. “May I try something with your leader?”

  Ni’yell moved to the edge of the circle and crossed his arm. It was clear he was not going to simply trust the stranger.

  “Try this,” the newcomer moved through three kata with fluid grace. At the end he repeated the sequence. By the third repetition, Micha was attempting to follow along. The stranger was not giving her any chance to think about what she was doing, he simply kept adding the next kata in the set every third repetition.

  Micha proved capable of picking up what the stranger was putting down with an almost ease. At the end of the twenty Kata the stranger grinned.

  “Impressive. Few can handle the full twenty. Let’s take a break, if that’s acceptable,” he looked at Micha. “Is an hour long enough? Then meet back here and I will help you cement the stance you just learned. If you are impressed with what you have learned by the end of the day I will teach you how to use it in a fight. Deal?”

  Micha had agreed. By days end, her technique had improved. He stuck around for six months; teaching her between mission.

  Present day, Keliv III

  Tristan chuckled at the memory. Cloudsong stuck around for six months the first time and trained her between mission. Then he left. After that he showed up twice more to further her training. Whoever was on the other end of the comms was connected to the emperor. He had never asked how,

  something told him that knowledge might be dangerous.

  Now as the link activated, he wondered if there was anything he might be able to do for Micha that just might offer her protection from the fallout he was expecting.

  “Commander,” was the smooth reply.

  Not for the first time he felt his body react to the voice on the comms unit. “Micha seems to have landed in shit…again. This time a general commander is involved. She intends on returning him to the emperor.”

  “Tell her to go ahead. Princess Kaltia had been trying to catch hold of her and her team. Any idea why the general was at her mission site?”

  Tristan sighed. “She did not say, but was definitely displeased about something. She did say that Markus Hannabur was complicit in whatever the general was doing.”

  “Tell her to bring both to the imperial palace on Ishoudra Dhara.”

  “Oh,” Tristan sat up. “Before I forget. Micha says she is using alien technology to travel.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll make sure she gets through the defense net. Anything else?”

  He hesitated. “No,”

  For the first time there was a long pause. “Its been a pleasure working with you.” The link went dead.

  Sitting back in his seat he contemplated his life choices. The answer was always the same. There was nothing he was willing to change. Yet, the voice on the end of the link tempted him to want more. Clearing his head he contacts Micha with her new orders.

  Imperial Palace, Ishoudra Dhara

  Princess Kaltia sat quietly and listened as yet another member of parliament stepped forward to address some matter of importance; bored and wanting some bit of entertainment. Anything. Catching sight of her assistant making faces at her, she sat up mildly curious about what had him upset. From an odd species of primarily water dwellers, Kessar was rarely anxious about anything. For him to stand there wringing his hands, he had to be very upset.

  Leaning to her right she murmured in her brother’s ear; she slipped silently from her seat. Reaching the stairs she noted her bother speaking to the emperor. Needing to go somewhere his nervous energy would not impede the eventful ass kissing, she nodded to a member of parliament as she glided effortlessly passed. When Kessar became upset it could be disruptive. His species were highly empathic; they worked to maintain rigid control of their emotions publicly. As the guards opened the door for her, she slipped through and waited.

  Emperor Ma’al Maharik Etarendi

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  Emperor Ma’al Maharik Etarendi watched as his daughter glided gracefully out the door and smirked. Blinking with predatory slowness, the eight-foot man turned his attention back to the stunned councilmen. He had managed to hold his seat as emperor by being capable of doing what needed to be done and had worked to make each of his children equally as capable. It did not stop him from wishing that she had been born first so that she could be his heir.

  Mikael was capable of succeeding,of that he was not worried , but he had been unable to see the same steel fired in his son’s eyes that was evident in his daughter’s. She had always been strong, fearless, and yet she was also delicate. He knew his daughter would serve no man. Yet he worried about his children even still. Motioning for the councilmen to continue he considered what he would have to do to bring out the strength of steel in his son.

  Feeling anxiety begin to echo in the room, the emperor sighed. Why she had chosen so unstable an assistant he did not know. Lifting his staff, he let it thunder to the floor. As silence fell in the room, he stood and descended the dais. “Gentlemen, I will return. The prince will continue to receive you.” Moving with the power of his position he felt the crowd around him part like water. Without hesitation, his guards shifted around him as he moved to reach his daughter and calm the storm before it erupted.

  “Kessar, be still before you completely unravel.” Kaltia sighed.

  “Forgive me, Mistress, you said to inform you the minute there was word.” Watching his gills flap she counted to ten, even as the whirring started. Kessar continued, “She has been found, in fact, the commander says she is insisting on being allowed to land here immediately. She claims to be carrying a prisoner for the emperor.”

  “And you are upset because?”

  “The shuttle she commands is alien technology and the prisoner is general commander Kagiris. When we asked to speak to him, she informed us that prisoners had no rights. Oh dear,” Kessar’s voice warbled.

  “Then let her land,” a deep voice ordered.

  Kaltia turned to look at the emperor and dropped to her knees. Kessar followed suit.

  “As you command,” Kessar scurried away.

  As Kaltia reminded him of the dangers of allowing unknown technology on the planet surface, she wondered what the captain was up to.

  Standing with his hands behind his back he said nothing as he considered the ramifications about to descend upon his court. Kaltia kept silent, knowing he would speak when he was ready. Ma'al stepped to the window and examined the gardens. “There is certain to be a more appropriate means of dealing with this then to bother his master with something so trivial.”

  “Forgive me, Emperor. He was following my explicit instructions…”

  “To display such an outburst?”

  Kaltia clamped her mouth shut. “No, my liege, he was informing me that the candidate for the AlphaOne had returned. I was not expecting her to return for several more days. I apologize for failing to be prepared for such an eventuality.” Seeing the look of irritation on his face she hurriedly explained what her aid had informed her.

  Turning he looked at his daughter. She had been with the Council of War and Peace for less than three months and already she had a candidate she expected to be successful. “Well then go and get our guest. When she lands show her in. I will hear her reasons personally for holding a member of my inner court as a common prisoner.” Turning he made his way back to the councilmen. “Do not keep us waiting.”

  “Yes, your majesty.” Bowing her head she stood and made her way to the docking bay; a shawling slipping from the shadows.

  Princess Kaltia

  On her arrival at the docking bay the princess had to admit the designer of the shuttle knew what they were doing. There were details that only the knowledgeable would take note of and even might not pick up on the value of those minute works of art. She only knew because Na’a was an enthusiast of flight technology. It was clear the shuttle was not new, but there was very little that identified the makers. As the ram descended and the doors slid onto the roof, Kaltia was met with a spectacular display. The small team took up an honour guard on the ramp that they had practiced relentlessly. One lone figure nudged the general forward down the ramp. As the two figures made their way the rest of the team fell in step; between them a second prisoner.

  “Captain Micha Bailey,” she braced her right fist over her heart. “Delivering a prisoner to the emperor for inspection.”

  Not sure how to answer that, she motioned for her to follow. “This way captain. The emperor is waiting for you.”

  The sound of thunder coming down the hall was unmistakable. As the sound grew louder, the emperor’s court fell silent. Sitting still everyone turned to watch the doors as several guards made to stop whatever was approaching. Next to the emperor the prince stood and descended the steps. Reaching the bottom, he prepared to intercept whomever may come through the door.

  Micha

  Micha moved forward without hesitation. She would hand the emperor his trash and leave; simple. Reaching the ornate doors of the emperor’s court she nodded to the woman leading her that she was ready for the doors to be opened.

  “Put away your weapons. No need to give them any reason to shoot.” When the doors opened, she motioned the general and Markus forward as she followed behind them. Without hesitating, she made for the center of the room. Lifting a hand in a signal to stand at the door, she moved forward. Less than eight feet from the dais, she stopped. When two guards started to separate her from the general and Markus, she looked at the emperor.

  “I don’t care what you do with your trash, but when it affects the survival of my team it becomes a problem. Perhaps before you consider taking on new species, you should make sure you have control of the ones you already have.” Walking to the handsome young man standing at the base of the dais she handed over the discs in her hand. “There are copies of my report, the original will be filed on my return as well as detailed plans of an attack on the royal family.”

  Turning she started to leave.

  “Are you not going to give me the details?” a deep voice rumbled.

  Pausing she turned, for the first time she truly looked at the emperor. Something about him was familiar. Feigning surprise, she answered him. “You mean there is something the emperor does not already know?”

  “I believe there are many things I do not know,” his voice amused. “Such as how does a captain catch a general from a meeting across the empire?” sitting forward, he motioned for the discs to be displayed, “Please, share with the councilmen what is on the discs?”

  Micha studied the man in front of her and tried to remember where she had seen him before. The sense of memory niggled at the back of her mind. “Evidence that not all the members of your sacred circle can be trusted. There is proof of an attack against the royal family. Since I am pretty sure you are capable of protecting yourself, I was more concerned with the innocent bystanders that would have been hurt in the process. The good general here was overheard in conversation with the target I was sent to collect. Imagine my surprise when my target informs me that the general is closely involved in this little conspiracy,” Micha replied blandly.

  Watching the interview unfold on the screen the emperor grew stone still as Markus Hannabur explained the entire enterprise that he had been a part of. Names, locations all spilled from his lips with little effort.

  Standing the emperor made his way towards the general. Pausing he watched him closely. He had known this man a long time. Together they had solved many issues, fought many battles. Turning away, he motioned to his guards to take the general from his sight. Reclaiming his seat, he watched the woman standing before him. He knew that he was frightening to behold and that most people would rather stay out of his sight. Yet she stood before him with apparent boredom. When the General snarled and lunged at the emperor it took the room by surprise.

  Micha swept her feet low to the ground, knocking his feet from under him. Turning towards the door, she ignored the sputtering man on the floor.

  “There is the matter of a reward for such excellence and dedication to your duty.”

  “Just leave me and my team be and we will be fine.”

  Smiling the emperor stood and murmured. “You have come a long way from the girl clinging to the top of her cage. Yet I doubt you will thank me for what I am about to do.” Lifting his voice he addressed his audience. “From this day forward, your name will be respected in my house. Your children will know my protection because you have honored me. We are family.

  “Also, let it be known that today the first Earthing is offered a place of power within my empire. This woman has done what was beyond her task and has proven she is capable of much more. Today, she came before me as a captain, but she will leave here as an alpha in the AlphaOne protocol. See that the team she was leading is returned to their commander and escort her to the war room to begin her place as a member of the Alphas.”

  Shocked, Micha turned to stare at the emperor as though he had sprouted an extra head. Hearing the guards move behind her she turned around. Pulling her riffle, she loaded the chamber and pointed it at the first guard. “Touch any of my team and it will be the last thing you do.” Lifting her voice she said, “Call your dogs’ off of my men.”

  Seeing them fall back she turned to look at the emperor. Fury lit wildly across her face. Her amber eyes alight like the flames at the top of her spiky head. “What the hell was that?”

  “You will watch your tone when addressing the emperor.” A vulpine growled.

  Without looking she pointed her rifle at his face. “I don’t recall speaking to you. You can keep your promotion and I will keep my team.” Lowering her rifle, she turned and made for the door.

  “As an Alpha you have the choice of who is in your pack. There is no need to work with such a motley team.” Ma'al needed to know she would not bend.

  “Don’t care,” anger lit her voice as she sliced the air. “No one messes with ‘my’ team.”

  Princess Kaltia smiled. Stepping into view she nodded to Micha. “What he fails to say is you can keep your pets if that is what you want. Also, once the emperor awards a position among the Alphas the only way to lose it is to be killed. Since you enjoy your little underdogs keep them and use them as the foundation for your war pack.”

  Looking at the woman standing in front of her, Micha considered refusing. She wanted less to do with the royal family than ever, but such accolades had a way of reaching places no one went. Turning her back on the crowd she looked at her boys. Lifting an eyebrow, Micha waited for responses. At the subtle nod of the head from each of the seven, she turned back to the woman, “Since I have no choice in the matter, here is how it’s going to be. I will play in your war pack, but I will do it my way. I will have whom I want, no questions asked. The council of War and Peace can kiss my grits.

  "I will not be a pet on a string that you can parade as you please. You want a war dog then so be it, but be forewarned I have teeth and I will use them.” Turning she made to leave, pausing she turned back to court. “Can someone tell me how to find the war room?”

  Stunned the whole crowd stayed motionless, save for one man. At the sound of laughter, all eyes turned to the emperor. Standing he made his way to his new Alpha. Bowing slightly, he pointed the way. “Come let me escort you to the War room and the other Alphas.” Smiling he proceeded to lead the way, “Tell me Alpha, what is your name?”

  Micha looked at the emperor. “My team calls me Alpha.”

  Pausing, the emperor looked at her once more and smiled. with so simple a statement, she declared more than she realized. By the Devine let her remain in control. “Well then Alpha, I look forward to seeing what you will do next.”

  Nodding she turned to the vulpine she had threatened. “Sorry. My tempter sometimes gets the better of me. Can I ask why you stay when you are so unhappy?”

  Eyes as red as blood went wide as saucers. No one noticed him. Not even the emperor he served. Frozen and uncertain how to answer the feline shook. Licking his lip, his ears flicked back and forth nervously.

  Wrapping her arms around him, Micha held him tightly. “What keeps such a beautiful vulpine captive?”

  Instinctively he started to hide his eyes and stopped. Looking the flame haired female in the eyes, he wrung his hands in anticipation of some censure. Eyes going soft she murmured. “Like my hair. Almost the same colour.” After pointing her finger at her spiky top, she extended a hand.

  Micha shrugged. “If you want, there is always a place for you.” Turning she halted. There in the crowd was a face she had not seen in too many years. From his outfit he was well and to her relief he still had both his arms. Looking at the emperor, Micha frowned. Keeping her own council she turned to the door.

  “Argenta?” the emperor’s deep rumble ordered. “When your alpha summons you...?”